The time had come to start my journey. I leaned out of the window, waving as long as I could while she disappeared into the distance. She was out of sight and she would be for quite a long time. All I had with me afterwards was her images on my phone and more importantly, our moments together that had stuck to my memory.
The bus had just gotten to the first checkpoint when my phone rang. When I checked the caller ID, it was her.
“Hello, maami.”
“Hello. How has the journey been? Where are you now?”
“I'm having a pleasant ride and presently, we're at the first checkpoint. Bother yourself not, mum. I'll phone you immediately the drive is over.”
“Alright.”
As promised, my mother was the first person I phoned
as the journey ended. She sounded relieved.
A lanky lad was waiting for me at the car park by a black Toyota Sienna. He showed me his identity card and I confirmed that he was the one sent to pick me up. I entered the car and the ride started.
During that shorter drive, I played games on my phone. My mum called again and I felt frustrated. I just had to accept the call. We were still conversing when the driver suddenly sprayed a perfume on me. That was all I could remember. On opening my eyes, I woke up on a hospital bed.
My mum was sitting beside me, looking relieved.
“What happened?”
“You got into wrong hands. The employment you got in the north is a trap. Those people are abductors. It's a relief that you're safe.”
“But how did I get here?”
“We were on a phone call so I could guess that something was wrong when you were no longer replying. When the call was abruptly cut and when I called it was off, I could sense a problem. You see, from the start, I had not felt good about the job. First, you told me you got the job through an online link and the pay was just too promising. Although I'd love to see you get paid with such a huge amount, it was strange. In a few words, I immediately informed the officer nextdoor. They were able to track your device and here we are. Too bad the criminals escaped.”
I was happy to have her. I wondered what would have happened if I didn't have her.
Mothers are jewels that can not be replaced when lost.
Here is one of the stories I wrote from the story prompts on Writco, a writers'app.